Refrigerating machine



M. G. ROBINSON March 21, 1939.

REFRIGERATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1957 Inventor: Manuel 6. Robinson 105 His Attorheg TTES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATIN G MACHINE Manuel G. Robinson, Lynn, Mass, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 29, 1937, Serial No. 171,679

11 Claims. (Cl. 62-415) My invention relates to refrigerating machines of the compression type.

It is an object of my invention to provide a refrigerating machine of the compression type having a compact casing arrangement, which may be readily assembled and which is economical to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a.vertica1 sectional view on the line of Fig. 2 of a refrigerating machine embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 2--2- of Fig. 1 of the refrigerating machine.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown a refrigerating machine having a casing arrangement including a bottom wall It) supported upon a plurality of spaced-apartfeet I I an upstanding side wall l2, and an upstanding side wall l3 surrounding the side wall l2 in spaced relation thereto and secured to the bottom wall ID. The side wall I2 comprises two concentrically arranged cylindrical members 14 and I5 secured to the bottom wall l and separated by a layer of heat insulation It. A removable cover I1 is secured to the upper end of the side wall i2 and cooperates with the side wall l2 and the bottom wall I to provide an upstanding tubular inner casing defining a motor compartment l8 therein. A ring I9 is secured to the upper end of the side wall I3 and carries a spacer ring 20 to which a removable cover 2| is secured.

The cover constitutes a section of the casing of a centrifugal compressor 22 and provides a diffuser plate for the centrifugal compressor. The centrifugal compressor 22 is also provided with a complementary casing section 23 secured to the cover ll by a series of bolts Na and having an upwardly directedflange 24, secured to the cover 2| by a series of bolts 25. e The bottom wall III, the side wall l3, the rings l3 and 20, the cover 2|, and the compressor casing section 23 cooperate to provide an upstanding tubular outer casing surrounding the tubular inner casing in which the motor compartment I8 is defined. An arrangement including two spaced-apart dividing walls 26 and 21 arranged between and secured to the side walls l2 and I3 and secured to two spaced-apart outwardly extending projections 230. provided on the compressor casing section 23 is provided to define a condenser compartment 23 and an evaporator compartment 29 in the tubular outer casing. It will be observed that the space between the side walls l2 and I3 is of annular configuration and that the dividing walls 26 and 21 subdivide this space into supplementary compartments; one compartment being the condenser compartment 28 and the other compartment beingthe evaporator compartment 29. The dividing wall 26, as best shown in Fig. 2, comprises two spaced-apart members A 3|! and 3| separated by a layer of heat insulation 32, and the dividing wall 21 is of a similar construction.

A bracket 33 secured to the lower surface of the cover ll depends therefrom into the motor compartment l8 defined in the tubular inner casing. The bracket 33 carries a motor 34 which is preferably of the induction type and includes a stator 35 having a winding 36 and a rotor 31 mounted on a vertically disposed shaft 38. The bracket 33 is provided with a flange structure 39 which carries an upper bearing 40 for the shaft 38 and the motor 34 is provided with a lower end shield 4| which carries a lower thrust bearing 42 for the shaft 38. The centrifugal compressor 22 is provided with an impeller 43 having a plurality of spaced-apart blades 44 thereon and-arranged between the cover l1 and the casing section 23. The impeller 43 is mounted on a. vertically disposed shaft 45 which is journaled in upper and lower bearings 46 and 41, the upper and lower bearings 46 and 4'! being carried by' the flange structure 39 of the bracket 33. A driving connection including a relatively large gear 48 mounted on theshaft 3B and a relatively small pinion 49 mounted on the shaft 45 is provided between the shaft 38 and the shaft 45. The shaft 45 projects through an opening provided in the cover l1 and an annular collar 53 is disposed thereabout and secured to the cover H. The shaft 45 is provided .with an enlarged portion arranged within the annular collar 50 and cooperates with the annular collar to provide a labyrinth seal between the motor compartment l3 and the interior of the centrifugal compressor 22.

The end shield 4| of the motor 34 is provided with a downwardly extending annular flange 52 which cooperates with a plate 53 secured thereto to provide a lubricant pump casing. The lower end of the shaft 38 projects within the lubricant pump casing and carries an impeller 54. An

opening is provided within the plate 53 in alignment with the impeller 54 and a downwardly extendingtube 55 is secured about the opening in the plate 53. The tube 55 has an open lower end and is surrounded by a cup-shaped reticulated screen 58 secured to the plate 53 by an annular ring 51.

The lower portion of the motor compartment l8 constitutes a lubricant .reservoir containing a body of lubricant 58 which submerges the lubricant pump casing and the lower end turns of the winding 38 of the motor 34. During operation of the refrigerating machine lubricant is drawn from the lubricant reservoir through the reticulated screen 58 into the lower open end of the .0 tube 55 and into the lubricant pump casing by the impeller 54, the reticulated screen 58 preventing any foreign matter from being drawn into the lubricant pump casing. The lubricant is then discharged from the lubricant pump casing g5 through a passage 59 formed in the lower end shield 4| of the motor 34 into a conduit 88 communicating witha passage 8| formed in the flange structure 39 of the bracket 33. The lubricant is conducted through the passage 8| to the bearings 48, 48 and 41 in order to lubricate these hearings. Excess lubricant escaping from the bearing 48 is conducted along the shaft 45 to the pinion 48 in order to lubricate the pinion 49 and the gear 48 in mesh therewith. Excess lubricant escaping from 5 the bearing 41 is caught in a recess 82 provided in'the flange structure 39 and excess lubricant escaping from the bearing 48 is thrown from the shaft 38 by a deflector 83 carried by the shaft 38 into the recess 82. The lubricant accumulating in 40 the recess 82 flows therefrom between the inner 5 into the lower end'shield u of the motor.

I due to the fact that it is submerged in the body of lubricant 58 contained in the lubricant reservoir. This arrangement provides for adequate lubrication of the bearings of the motor and the compressor and the driving connection therebetween. Also, the motor is adequately cooled by the lubricant flowing through the passages 84 formed in the stator 35 thereof. The body of lubricant 58 contained in the lubricant reservoir is cooled by a heat exchange-coil 88 arranged therein.

The compressor casing section 23 is provided with an annular inlet opening 81 therein in alignment with the impeller 43 and an elongated dis- .5 charge opening 88 arranged between the cover l1 and the casing section 23. The refrigerating machine is charged with a refrigerant having a relatively low vapor pressure, such as tri-chlorethylene, for example, in order that the refrigerant may be adequately compressed by the centrifugal compressor 22. During operation of the refrigerating machine, vaporized refrigerant in thee vaporator compartment 29 is withdrawn therefrom through the annular inlet opening 81 in the casing section 23 of thecentrifugal compressor 22 by the impeller 43. The vaporized refrigerant is compressed and discharged through the elongated discharge opening 88 into the condenser compartment 28 to be liquefied. An arrangeme t including a heat exchanger 89 is provided for liquefying the compressed refrigerant in the condenser compartment 28. The heat exchanger 89 is arranged within the condenser compartment 28 and comprises a plurality of spacedapart arcuately-shaped tubes 18 interconnected at opposite ends by two spaced-apart headers 1| and 12. Compressed refrigerant is liquefied in the condenser compartment 28 and liquid refrigerant is conducted from the lower portion thereof through a conduit'13 to a float-operated flow-controlling device 14. The liquefied refrigerant is conducted from the float-operated flowcontrolling device 14 through a conduit 15 into the lower portion of a liquid refrigerant sump 18 formed in the lower portion of the evaporator compartment 29. The float-operated flow-controlling device is arranged to admit liquid refrigerant into the liquid refrigerant sump 18 when a predetermined level of liquid refrigerant is contained in the casing of the float-operated flowcontrolling device 14.

A heat exchanger 11 comprising a plurality of arcuately-shaped spaced-apart tubes 18 interconnected at opposite ends by two spaced-apart headers 19 and 88 is arranged within the evaporator compartment 29 to be cooled by the refrigerant. therein. The header 19 is provided with a braclret 8| which supports a motor '82 having a vertically disposed shaft 83. The frame of the motor 82 is provided with a bracket arrangement 84 connected to the casing of a liquid refrigerant circulating pump 85. The liquid refrigerant circulating pump 85 is arranged ithin the liquid refrigerant sump 18 and draws quid refrigerant therefrom through an inlet port 86 provided in the lower portion of the casing of the liquid refrigerant circulating pump 85. The liquid refrigerant is discharged from the casing of the liquid refrigerant circulating pump 85 through an upwardly directed conduit 81 into an arcuately-shaped header '88 disposed above the upper portion of the heat exchanger 11. The

header 88 is perforated along its length in order to discharge liquid'refrigera'nt in the form of a spray upon the tubes 18 of the heat exchanger 11. The liquid refrigerant flows over the outer surfaces of the tubes 18 and is returned to the liquid refrigerant sump 18. The liquid refrigerant circulating pump 85 is ararnged to discharge a greater quantity of liquid refrigerant over the outer surfaces of the tubes 18 of the heat exchanger 11 than is evaporated thereby in order to provide for recirculation of the liquid refrigerant and to insure'that the outer surfaces of the tubes 18 will be completely wetted with a film of liquid refrigerant. An arrangement including a plurality of oppositely inclined and overlapping arcuately-shaped bailles 89 is provided for preventing the spray of liquid refrigerant discharged from the header 88 upon the heat exchanger 11 from being drawn into the annular inlet opening 81 of the centrifugal compressor 22. This arrangement allows vaporized refrigerant to "be -let connection 9| and an outlet connection 92 which are connected respectively to an inlet conduit 93 by a flanged coupling 94 and a conduit 95 by a flanged coupling 96. The flanged couplings 94 and 96 are arranged between the header 12 of the heat exchanger 69 and the dividing wall 21 in order to accommodate ready removal of the heat exchanger 69 from the condenser compartment 28. The heat exchange coil 66 is provided with an inlet end 91 and an outlet end 98 connected respectively to the inlet conduit 95'and an outlet conduit 99.. The heat exchanger 69 and the heat exchange coil 66 are connected in series circuit relationship and during operation of the refrigerating machine cooling liquid is supplied from the inlet'conduit 93 to the heat exchanger 69. The cooling liquid flows through the heat exchanger 69 into the conduit 95 and is supplied to the heat exchange coil 66. The cooling liquid flows through the heat exchange coil 66 and is discharged through the outlet conduit 99. The heat exchanger 11 arranged in the evaporator compartment 29 is provided with an inlet connection Hill and an outlet connection I M which are connected respectively to an inlet conduit I02 a a flanged coupling M3 and an outlet conduit I04 by a flanged coupling H15. During operation of the refrigerating machine, the medium tobe cooled is conducted from the inlet conduit are through the heat exchanger Tl into the outlet conduit I04. The cooling medium is then conducted from the outlet conduit It to any suitable heat exchange device utilizing the refrigeration produced by the refrigerating machine described.

The refrigerating machine is arranged within a suitable heat insulated finished case comprising an'upstanding cylindrical body portion I66 and a cover in which is removably secured thereto in any suitable manner. The upstanding body portion W6 comprises a metal outer Wall I68 and a layer of heat insulation Hit arranged in spaced relation to the side wall Id of the tubular outer casing of the refrigerating machine. The cover M1 comprises a metal outer wall Mil and a layer of heat insulation ill arranged adjacent the removable cover it of the tubular outer casing of the refrigerating machine.

In assembling the refrigerating machine described, the heat exchanger at is arranged within the condenser compartment it and the inlet and outlet connections M and 92 thereof are connected respectively to the flanged couplings at and Qt. The heat exchanger ll carrying the motor 82 and the liquid refrigerant circulating pump $5 is arranged within the evaporator compartment it and the inlet and outlet connections ltll and spectively to the flanged couplings Hit and Mb. The assembled cover ll, centrifugal compressor 22 and motor 3d are then brought into superimposed relationship with respect to the side wall l2 of the tubular inner casing of the refrigerating machine and the motor M is lowered into the motor compartment l0 defined in the tubular inner casing. The cover ll is then secured in place upon the upper end of the side wall it. The removable cover 2! carrying the baffles E9 is then brought into superimposed relationship with respect to the tubular outer casing of the refrigerating machine. The removable cover ii is then lowered into place and secured to the upwardly directed flange it provided on the compressor casing section at and to the spacer ring withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said Mil thereof are connected ire-- 20. The removable cover I01 of the heat insulated finished case is then placed upon the upper end of the upstanding body portion I06 thereof. From the foregoing description of the refrigerating machine, it is apparent that the motor 34 may be readily removed from the motor compartment l6 defined in the tubular inner casing and that the heat exchangers 69 and Ti may be readily removed from the condenser compartment 28 and the evaporator compartment 29 respectively.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention in connection with a refrigerating machine having a compressor of the centrifugal type, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and "scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing defining a motor compartment, a motor arrangedlin said motor compartment, an outer casing surrounding'said inner casing and cooperating therewith to define a. condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment, means including a compressor driven by said motor for evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser com-, partment, means including a heat exchanger "arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressed refrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, and another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the refrigerant therein.

2. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compartment, an outer casing surrounding said inner casing and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment, means including a compressor driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment, means including a heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressed. refrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the ,refrigerant therein, and means for recirculating liquid refrigerant in said evaporator compartment over the outer surface of said heat exchanger therein.

3. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing defining a motor compartment, a mo-- tor arranged in said motor compartment, an outer casing surrounding said inner casing in spaced relation thereto and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator, compartment therebetween, means includin a' compressor driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment, means including a heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressed refrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant fromsaid condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment. another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the refrigerant therein, means including a heat exchanger contained in said motor compartment-for cooling said motor arranged therein.

4. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing having a removable cover and defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compartment and carried by said cover, an outer casing surrounding said inner casing and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator -compartment, means including a, compressor driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment, means including a heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressedrefrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, and another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the refrigerant therein.

5. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing having a removable cover and defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compartment and carried by said cover, an outer casing surrounding said inner casing and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment, meansincluding a compressor carried by said cover and driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for'discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment to be liquefied therein, and means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment.

6. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing having a removable cover and defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compartment and carried by said cover, an outer casing surrounding said inner casing and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment, means including a compressor carried by said cover and,

driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment to be liquefied therein, means including a heat exchanger contained in said motor compartment for cooling said motor arranged therein.

7. A refrigerating machine comprising an inner casing having a removable cover and defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compartment and carried by said cover, an outer casing surrounding said inner casing in spaced relation thereto and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment therebetween, means including a compressor carried by said cover and driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment, means including a heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressed refrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, and another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the refrigerant therein.

8. A refrigerating machine comprising a tubular inner casing defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compartment, a tubular outer casing surrounding said inner casing-in spaced relation thereto and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment therebetween, means including a-compressor driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment, means including a heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressed refrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, and another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the refrigerant therein.

9. A refrigerating machine comprising an upstanding tubular inner casing having a removable cover and defining a motor compartment, 9. motor arranged in said motor compartment and carried by said cover, an upstanding tubular outer casing surrounding said inner casing in spaced relation thereto and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment therebetween, means including a compressor. carried by said cover and driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerent from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment to be liquefied therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, said outer casing having a removable cover to provide for removal of said cover of said inner casing together with said motor and said compressor carried thereby.

10. A refrigerating machine comprising an upstanding tubular inner casing defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compart cut, an upstanding tubular outer casing surr unding said inner casing in spaced relation thereto and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment therebetween, means including a compressor driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant into said condenser compartment, means including a heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for liquefying the compressed refrigerant therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, and another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by therefrigerant therein.

11. A refrigerating machine comprising an upstanding tubular inner casing having a removable cover and defining a motor compartment, a motor arranged in said motor compart-' ment and carried by said cover, an upstanding tubular outer casing surrounding said inner casing in spaced relation thereto and cooperating therewith to define a condenser compartment and an evaporator compartment therebetween, means including a compressor carried by saidcover and driven by said motor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator compartment and for discharging compressed refrigerant inu to said condenser compartment, means including a, heat exchanger arranged in said condenser compartment for Iiquefying the compressed refrigemnt therein, means for conducting liquid refrigerant from said'condenser compartment to said evaporator compartment, and another heat exchanger arranged in said evaporator compartment and cooled by the refrigerant therein, saici outer cam'ng having 8L removable cover to provide for removal of said heat exchongers and; sai cover of said. inner casing together with said motor and said compressor carried thereby)". 

